Shillong, Jan 25: Noted academician and former UPSC chairman Prof David R Syiemlieh has been selected for the prestigious Padma Shri award.
The central government announced 139 names of Padma Awards awardees for 2025 ahead of Republic Day on Saturday evening. The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. Twenty-three of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners /NRI /PIO /OCI and 13 posthumous awardees.
In his congratulatory message for the honour accorded to Prof Syiemlieh, chief minister Conrad Sangma said, “This recognition is a testament to his invaluable contributions to literature, education, and the broader cultural landscape. We are incredibly proud of Prof. Syiemlieh’s remarkable achievements…”
Prof Syiemlieh, currently an adviser to Meghalaya State Education Commission (MSEC), also served as vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh.
He joined the Department of History, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in 1979 and later became controller of examinations, registrar, and pro-vice-chancellor of the university.
He has received a number of prestigious academic fellowships including a Senior Fulbright Fellowship to Notre Dame University, USA; a Charles Wallace Grant for research in the UK and an IndoFrance Cultural Exchange grant for research in Paris.
He has published a number of books and papers on the history of North Eastern region.
His more recent publications are “On the Edge of Empire: Four British Plans for North East India” and “Layers of History: Essays on the Khasi-Jaintias”.
Prof Syiemlieh was president of the North East India History Association during 2010-11.
